Ideas for dd and activities

[yellowmellw]

Hi my dd is going to be 4 come the summer and I'm starting to think about what activities to put her in.

I'm just so unsure what's best for her development and most fun at the same time. I sort of feel like things like ballet etc the usual stuff are a bit silly and not a long term useful activity.

Any ideas please. What do yours do

Depends what she’s into. I would say something that is pretty essential is learning to swim- so I would say swimming lessons?

Mine do loads, but only because they want to! What is she interested in and what’s available round you?

Ballet is great for core strength and flexibility so don't dismiss it as pointless!

Agree with swimming

Look at dance classes or drama groups, rainbows, etc

What does she like and what's available is the key questions

I've access to loads of activities so that's not a problem. She's really into everything so I think we would be up for any activity that's worthwhile and useful.

Yes swimming is a good one

Only thing I would do for definite is swimming . Apart from that I’d only do something if she pays an interest .

What can you support with as a family?

Just thinking, if you do horse riding/swimming etc and she wants to continue it, can you keep up with the expense, commitment etc.

Yes I'm prepared to be invested in the activity financial and time wise.

my lb is 5 this year but isn't at school till september so we do gymnastics which he really likes . We did try swimming last year but he didn't enjoy lessons. So I think we will try that again next year. We also go to a one to one music class he's just started this but enjoyed his first lesson. You could just try a few things then let her choose 2 or so to do

What does she enjoy?
My 4 year old does ballet, swimming, cheerleading and gymnastics. She wants to do football training but we’ll have to drop something to fit it in and she doesn’t want to drop any! She loves them all.
Nearly 3 year old does ballet and gymnastics and will start swimming when she’s 3.
Why do they have to be ‘worthwhile’? Can’t they just be things your child enjoys?

Oh and my nearly 3 year old wants to start horse riding.

sorry I meant try the trial at things we did a trial at gymnastics and music before we booked

To be honest, most childhood activities don’t end up being ‘useful’ when the child is an adult really, but the skills they learn there are useful so I don’t think you can dismiss any of them as not being useful or worthwhile.

If you have cash and access to lots- let her try a few and see. Just don’t be tempted to over schedule! Gymnastics is a great one IMO.

Ballet is definitely not silly! My daughter's been going since she was 3. She's now 8 and still loves it. It taught her to sit and listen and follow instructions before she even started school and it's such good exercise and great for discipline - it's taught her so much more than just the dancing. It's far from silly.

Swimming would, for me, be the only essential.

Is your DD starting school in September? If so, you might want to look if her school offers any after school activities that she might be interested in. I am aware that some schools don't offer after school stuff to Reception children, so check first!

My DD did tennis at that age. Lots do Rainbows, although my DD didn't. If I was starting out again, I would put DD in for Stagecoach, or similar. Children I know who did that seem to have so much more confidence than others.

Agree nothing wrong with ballet. My DD is also very interested in everything. We have tried football, ballet, swimming, gymnastics and Spanish and loves them all. There's also things like a local kids choir, horse riding, we have a kids multisport club near us and disco dancing and drama.
Most clubs do tasters or let you do your first one for free

At thia age I wouldn't worry about it being useful I would just go for fin rainbows starts at 5 so you may want to get her name down for that if she would enjoy it.

Be aware that when she starts school she is likely to be very tired in the evenings so decide how much you will want her doing then and don't overcommit.